The problem statement is to study the issue of determining the lateral pressure of the soil from the weight of the embankment soil on the end piers of the bridge at a foundation depth of 3 m. In the regulatory documents, when determining the lateral pressure for this case, it is recommended not to take into account the physical and mechanical characteristics of the soil located below the land surface. The aim of the work is to identify the magnitude of the lateral pressure, taking into account the physical and mechanical characteristics of both the embankment soil and the soil located within the depth of the foundation, as well as taking into account the height of the pier.Methodology. Two calculation optio ns are considered: according to the requirements of the norms and when using a stepped diagram of lateral pressure. In the study, the soil of the embankment was assumed to be sandy with an angle of internal frictionφn = 30º and specific gravity γn = 20 kN/m3. Calculations were carried out for the following base soils: silty sand with an angle of internal friction φn = 26º and specific gravity γn = 19 kN/m3; fine sand at φn = 34º and γn = 19.6 kN/m3 and coarse sand at φn = 43º and γn = 21 kN/m3. Results. It is shown that, in comparison with the results of calculation according to the norms, the lateral pressure and other quantities (lateral pressure force, overturning moment) can vary up to 43 %. In this case, the lateral pressure at the angle of internal friction of the embankment soil exceeding the angle of internal friction of the foundation soil will be greater than the pres-sure obtained according to the norms, and if the angle of internal friction of the embankment soil is less than the angle of internal friction of the foundation, it will be less than the pressure calculated according to the standards. Thus, in some cases, the pier, calculated according to the requirements of the standards, is overloaded, and in other cases it has significant reserves. Values of the lateral pressure are also different at different heights of the pier, which was taken equal to 1; 3; 5; 7; 9; 11 and 13 m. The novelty of the work lies in the need to consider the height of the pier and the physical and mechanical characteristics of soils, both of embankments and foundationswhen determining the lateral pressure. The practical signif-icance involves the fact that in a number of casesit is possible to recommend more economical designs of piers than the calculations according to the requirements of the current standards suggest.
Determining lateral pressure from embankment soil own weight on the end piers of the bridge